DARDANELLE — Though no formal action was taken on the subject, construction of the new primary facility and renovation to the high school was the main topic of discussion at Dardanelle’s School Board meeting on Monday night.

Superintendent John Thompson said advertising has already begun for a construction manager for the upcoming project with a deadline for proposals from contractors set for 2 p.m. on Oct. 18. Thompson said the move to advertise in no way locks the board into choosing the construction manager setup over the architect bid process.

“It’s up to you guys,” Thompson said. “We did this to expedite the process by a couple of weeks. I probably will recommend we use the construction manager model. We used it with the gymnasium (located next to the administration building) and it was almost flawless. I feel we got a better product, plus we had more input on things on a daily basis. There are a lot of advantages to using this method.”

Thompson said choosing the architect bid model would mean less control over subcontractors.

Thompson suggested the board look at the proposals after the deadline before making a decision.

Board member Bentley Johnson said he liked the way the construction manager system worked with the gymnasium project.

“I know it took a big load off you and (Operations Supervisor) Ed (Vestal) and the rest of your staff,” Johnson said.

Thompson agreed saying during projects which began in 2001, he didn’t have a day off for 21⁄2 years with the district essentially assuming the role of construction manager.

With the sale of bonds for the project scheduled for Wednesday, the board will meet again Oct. 17 to pass a resolution based on the sale. The board indicated it could be ready to make a decision on the project model at the Oct. 17 meeting.

Thompson said he and Vestal traveled to Cabot last week to see buildings based on the same plan the new primary building will follow. The plan was originally developed by architect Steve Elliott in the mid-1970s for Mena High School.

“It’s been around a while, and I believe they’ve worked the kinks out,” Thompson said. “But it really is exciting to go in and see that’s what we’re going to have. We’re going to have something that nice. It really makes you feel good to know our kids are going to be a part of that. It’s really an excellent plan.”

Johnson asked High School Principal Marcia Lawrence if students’ input was being considered as the renovation project starts progressing.

“We are going to get ideas from them,” Lawrence said. “They will have really good ideas, whether they’re used ideas or not — and some of them will be. We want them to feel really involved because, amazingly, some of these kids are going to sit on this board after it is a done deal.”

“We’re also going to make a really good attempt to explain to them what’s about to happen because it will be happening at the end of this year,” Lawrence said.

She said she and the high school staff will likely use students’ advisory periods to convey information about the renovation and how it will affect them.

The board approved its reorganization, naming Johnson board president, Jerry Don Woods vice president and Keith Stokes secretary. The board’s three committees — budget, long-range planning and maintenance and policy — remained the same with the exception of newly elected board member Jody Sigle taking former board member Dawn McCormick’s position on the policy and long-range planning committees.

Woods thanked outgoing board President Sherry Hicks for her service over the past year and commended her on effort in getting the milllage increase passed.

In other business, the board:

• approved the expulsion of a student.

• approved the renewal of its Arkansas School Boards Association (ASBA) business trip accidental death insurance policy.

• approved the nomination of Woods as ASBA vice president for the 2011-12 school year.

• approved the 2011-12 gifted and talented program handbook as presented at the September meeting.